Summary:

The Employment Specialist will perform functions to develop competitive employment placements for adult and high school students with developmental/other disabilities. This role is responsible for establishing business relationships with employers to facilitate and secure employment for members. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

•  Develop competitive, community employment opportunities based on member career goals and choices. 
•  Establish (6) six, new, in person employer contacts weekly via in person, face to face employer visits 
•  Establish Additional Weekly Employer Contacts through telephone calls, mailings, meetings, networking, and other job development activities. 
•  Maintain knowledge of resources and services available to potential employers and members. 
•  Participate in pre-employment meetings and advise staff and members of the job market as it relates to their employment goal. 
•  Maintain employer files for the department. 
•  Meet or exceed department goals and outcomes based on contractual obligations with funding sources including but not limited to DRS. 
•  Participate in training in the Individual Placements and Supports (IPS) employment model. 
•  Implement the IPS employment model. 
•  Become proficient in the use of Quantum/other required computer program. 
•  Complete QIDP responsibilities for a Job Placement caseload. 
•  Successfully complete all required training for certification as Direct Support Professional (DSP) 
•  Valid driver’s license 
•  Personal Vehicle for daily community movement
•  Responsible for agency vehicle operation and transporting work crews.
•  Participate in regular staffing reviews and follow through with recommendations.
•  Respond to medical and behavioral emergencies following appropriate health & safety, crisis prevention, first aid, CPR, accident/incident reporting and other procedures, as necessary.
•  Attend mandated training within prescribed time periods and attend other in-services, as requested.
•  Support clients in self-advocacy activities.
•  Support clients in attaining their stated community vocational interests, at times, against the wishes of client family and support teams
•  Transport and Supervise Mobile Crew, including transport and on site management.
•  Lead all client job retention support activities to ensure clients achieve a minimum of 90 Days of Employment
•  Provide bimonthly on-site visits to all 36U funded clients who are working.
•  Ensure that all paperwork is completed and submitted to the ISC to secure 36U funding when an Envision client completes the 90 day milestone of the DRS Milestones contract (Initial Validation)
•  Achieve minimum of 2 community job placements monthly
•  Complete/submit all annual Revalidation paperwork.

Other Responsibilities:

•  Represent the agency at community and business functions. 
•  Communicate employer complaints/issues to the proper supervisory staff. 
•  Attend staff, job development, marketing, and other assigned committee meetings. 
•  Conduct mock interviews for members. 
•  Transport members to interviews when necessary. 
•  Assist with employment on-boarding, including ensuring appropriate dress, grooming, etc. 
•  Perform other related duties as assigned. 
•  Employees shall be available for a Hybrid work schedule that can require availability outside of established working hours, including 90% working in the community and 10% remote work.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Mobile Crew Staff

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or based upon a person’s legally protected characteristics or conduct, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees so classified.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE

•  Valid high School diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
•  Minimum of one year work experience in rehabilitation, job placement, or related field. 
•  Proven job placement experience preferred. 
•  Must have the ability to travel per the needs of the department including use of personal vehicle and department vehicles.
•  Current/valid driver’s license and auto insurance
•  QIDP qualification preferred. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to push, pull, and lift 15lbs. 

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, and sitting; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; dexterity and use of hands and fingers. This role includes significant movement on your feet. Constantly parking, and walking into multiple businesses daily to interface with employers requires significant physical community movement daily.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. 

The workday may include any or all of the following: working alone; working with others, verbal contact with others and face-to-face contact. Working in the community, provides a work environment that is open to the public. 

Personal/Department Vehicle – Employment Specialists are expected to utilize personal and departmental vehicles to transport clients to and from employer appointments. 

Envision Unlimited Office – Employment Specialists will utilize various EU offices and Day Program sites, to work, and host client meetings. Community Based – Employment Specialists will work in the public community and can expect a work environment that includes current community happenings.